Key Takeaways
- Auto manufacturers are making huge strides in electric technology so that pickup truck owners can save money at the pump.
- You can easily find a pickup truck at an affordable price point, with several options under $30,000.
- Upgraded trim levels and equipment packages allow for customization but can get expensive.
With 2023 just around the corner, you may want to wait just a bit before you buy your next pickup truck. Auto manufacturers are in a race to introduce the most efficient and powerful trucks ever seen, so you can find incredible value if you’re patient. This guide reviews some of the new trucks making it to the market and exciting upgrades to existing models.
How to Find the Right Pickup Truck
There are many uses for a pickup truck, so before shopping and comparing models, decide what’s most important to you. If you want a daily driver that you can use to haul things around town once in a while, you may not need an expensive heavy-duty truck that can tow 30,000 pounds.
One of the ways you can save money when shopping for pickup trucks is to choose less robust engine types because they also reduce your cost of ownership via improved fuel economy. Here are some of the most exciting trucks coming out in 2023 that you may want to consider if you’re in the market for a new pickup truck.
ShutterstockRam 1500
The 2023 Ram 1500 steps it up a notch in an attempt to finally dethrone the Ford F-150. It’s powerful and luxurious, featuring a reimagined cargo management system, surround view cameras, a heads-up display and a cell phone charging station. The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds, and you can upgrade to a monstrous V8 HEMI that puts out 702 horsepower.
The estimated MSRP for the 2023 Ram 1500 is $36,820. If you hit the highway often, you may also reduce your cost of ownership since it gets up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway.
Source: RamFord Ranger
The 2023 Ford Ranger is surprisingly capable considering its smaller size. It can seat up to five people comfortably and tow 7,500 pounds. It starts at only $26,400 and features the Ford SYNC infotainment system. You can play music, make calls and access your media on your devices through your voice or steering wheel controls.
The available Co-Pilot 360 is a suite of safety features, including blind spot detection, a rearview camera and pre-collision braking. If you’re looking to take your adventures off the road, you can add the Tremor Off-Road package for trail control and terrain management.
Source: FordChevrolet Silverado 1500
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has an impressive, rugged stance. It’s capable of towing up to 13,300 pounds when properly equipped, and the ZR2 Bison Edition adds extra off-road dependability. The Silverado 1500 starts at $35,600 and has an impressive base equipment package.
It has the best-in-class standard cargo volume among its peers, and the bed comes with 12 tie-downs to help you secure your cargo. Adding the Super Cruise driver assistance package keeps you safe on the road and helps you see what’s in your path when backing or making tight turns.
Source: ChevroletToyota Tacoma
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is an off-roader’s dream with an available multi-terrain select and crawl control system that lets you blaze new trails with confidence. Add sports-tuned Bilstein shocks, and the bumps in your way feel like clouds. With a starting MSRP of $27,250, the Tacoma is great if you’re looking for an affordable truck.
It offers 6,800 pounds of towing, which is plenty for taking camping or boating trips. You can also choose between a manual or automatic transmission.
Source: ToyotaFord Maverick
The Ford Maverick is the perfect truck if you’re a city dweller looking to make an escape once in a while. It starts at an affordable $22,195 and has seating for up to five people. Whether you need to haul things across town or simply need extra cargo space for your next trip, the Maverick has you covered with a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds.
The infotainment system is intuitive and pairs with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with built-in bottle openers and premium sound.
Source: FordGMC Hummer EV
The Hummer is no longer associated with monstrous gas-guzzling now that the 2023 GMC Hummer EV is turning heads. Whether traveling on or off-road, the new Hummer EV allows you to do it in comfort and style without using a drop of gasoline. It features up to 11,500 ft-lb of torque, cameras that show you what’s under the vehicle and a feature that lifts the suspension up to 6 inches when you’re in a pinch. It even drives diagonally with the crab-walk feature.
The available transparent sky panels allow you to enjoy a 360-degree view while protecting you from the elements. The 2023 GMC Hummer EV has a base price of $110,295.
Source: GMCFord F-150
The 2023 Ford F-150 is coming off a successful redesign in 2022. It has a starting price of $33,695 and plenty of space for six people. One of the great things about the F-150 is that there are many ways you can customize the look and functionality of your truck so that you’re paying for exactly what you need.
You can select from multiple engine choices, including a hybrid option and full electric. The infotainment system is easy to use and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With up to 14,000 pounds of towing capacity, the F-150 is capable of pulling just about anything you have to throw at it.
Source: FordRivian R1T
Rivian calls the 2023 R1T an electric adventure vehicle, and it has the performance capability to back up that statement. This full-electric pickup can tow 11,000 pounds, wade through 3 feet of water and accelerate from 0 – 60 miles per hour in under 3 seconds. You can adjust the ride height, the suspension and the way your gas pedal responds with eight driving modes.
The 2023 Rivian R1T features an infotainment system that gives you a mobile hotspot, pairs with Amazon Alexa and charges up to six mobile devices. This is exceptional value for a base MSRP of $73,000.
RivianHonda Ridgeline
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline is one of the most comfortable pickup trucks available right now. Its interior is ergonomically designed and offers plenty of headroom, legroom and cargo volume. It starts at $38,800 and offers up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability.
The Ridgeline’s available technologies are impressive, with a satellite-connected navigation system, truck-bed audio system, HondaLink infotainment system and state-of-the-art safety package. The Honda Sensing system detects dangers from all directions and keeps you centered in your lane while braking automatically to avoid a collision.
Source: HondaGMC Sierra 1500
The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offers an engine configuration that delivers up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway so that you don’t waste as much time at the gas pump. If you prefer more power and capability, choose the available diesel that has best-in-class horsepower and torque. The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 starts at $36,400 and offers many ways to customize your truck based on what’s most important to you.
The new available Super Cruise feature also allows you to relax while the truck navigates the highway for you. It includes adaptive cruise control and automatic hands-free lane changing.
Source: GMCFord F-150 Lightning
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is an incredibly capable electric truck. It can be used as a mobile generator and power a house for several days. It also offers up to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity with a range of over 240 miles on a single charge.
The F-150 Lightning has multiple trim and cab configurations to choose from and starts at $51,974. Expect to pay around $74,474 if you choose the Lariat trim, which comes with Ford’s extensive safety package and driver-assistive technology.
Source: Ford
